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Retrieval And Validation Of Mesospheric Temperatures From Wind Imaging Interferometer Observations, M G. Shepherd, B Reid, S Zhang, B H. Solheim, G G. Shepherd, Vincent B. Wickwar, Joshua P. Herron

All Physics Faculty Publications

A method has been developed for the retrieval of mesospheric temperatures in the 65–90 km altitude range from satellite observations made by the Wind Imaging Interferometer (WINDII) aboard the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS). Retrieved temperatures are derived from Rayleigh scattered sunlight observed in a wavelength band centered at 553 nm. Integrated line-of-sight radiance observations are inverted to tangent height volume scattering profiles, which are proportional to atmospheric density. From these, absolute temperature profiles are calculated using a technique derived from established Rayleigh lidar retrieval methods assuming that the atmosphere is in hydrostatic equilibrium and that it obeys the ideal …